Mother's Day (belated)

My first real Mother's Day was a day I won't soon forget.  In my head I had imagined it being just like my birthday, only better.  The only problems: I have a 4 month old baby who doesn't know the difference between this day and any other day, I'm sleep deprived, and I don't handle deviation from my expectations very well.   One can see how these circumstances just may have lead up to a perfect storm.  

The day started out with a cranky baby who wouldn't nap.  Pat cut the grass and I tried to appease Finley, but was only mildly successful.  I had already cried at this point. 

We met my family for brunch at the Minneapolis Club.  This was actually one of the highlights.  The food was amazing.  I ate brunch, lunch, and dinner portions and washed it down with a mimosa.  The people watching was the best part.  We brought the class level down in this joint and had a good time quietly making fun of the uppity crowd.   

My fabulous mom  -  without her I wouldn't have made it through Finley's first few months. 

Delish angel food cake, real whipped cream, strawberries, and raspberry cheese cake.

After a no-nap morning, Finley slept through brunch.

As we were leaving the club, I hopped into the backseat of the car and accidentally kicked my breast pump with my shoe.  I soon realized that I broke off an important piece and it was unusable. 

Cue the breakdown, tears, swearing, thoughts of having to buy a new pump (like $300), wondering what I'm going to do for work the next day, etc. 

Michelle is in the front seat and put her resources to good use.  A friend of hers said I could borrow a pump and not even an hour later I had it in my hands.  A mother's day miracle, I say!  The whole pump hunt had left a sour taste in my mouth, however.

The day ended with a stop at a garden center to pick up a couple flats of orange marigolds (love) and a long walk around our neighborhood with Fin. 

Pat treated me to a spa giftcard and the sweetest picture of Finley holding a happy mothers day sign that he colored (with crayons!)

The truth is I didn't need a day to be recognized for a job that I feel privileged to do everyday.  It has stretched me and made me grow in ways I didn't know were possible.  I am so proud to be Finley's mom.  I have learned to roll with the punches (sort of) and to not expect too much from the holidays when there's a baby involved.  And I'm trying to remember that the perfect storm sometimes leads to a rainbow.

I know she loves her mama.